1 posts from April 9, 2014

April 09, 2014

University of Miami fifth-year senior quarterback Ryan Williams, who was slated to be the starter next season before he tore the ACL of his right knee in a scrimmage Friday night, underwent 90-minute surgery Wednesday at UHealth Sports Performance and Wellness Institute in UM Hospital.

His mother, Jayne Williams of Pembroke Pines, told the Miami Herald "the surgery could not have gone better. His patellar tendon was so long that they were able to take out a small part in the middle of his patella to replace his ACL,'' she said. "They said his kneecap will be absolutely fine.''

Williams said there was "a small tear in the cartilage'' that doctors said "will heal on its own.

He also had a slight meniscus tear that will heal on its own, said Williams' wife, Deanna.

Deanna said when Ryan woke up "the first thing he did was blow me a kiss. He was so drugged up it was comical. He's doing great. Former UM quarterbacks Stephen Morris and Preston Dewey are visiting him right now."

"It was the best you could ever expect for Ryan,'' Jayne Williams said.

Williams said Ryan was sleeping until recently, "but Thursday he's going straight to the training room to get it checked out. Now he'll begin moving forward for rehabilitation.

"He's an amazing kid and is getting so many prayers and so much support from everyone you can imagine, most of whom I've never met. I want to thank every single person praying for him.''

She said Ryan, who earned his degree in sports administration in December and plans to soon begin working toward his master's, is determined to return to the field sometime next season and "finish his football career with his best friends and teammates.''

Williams said she was especially grateful to UM for its support in the wake of his injury. "From the coaches to the trainers to the doctors, UM has taken amazing care of my son,'' she said. "They worked day in and day out to get the swelling down so they could do this surgery.''

She also said that UM is in the midst of reaching out to Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson to talk with him about his rehabilitation after his major knee surgery.